Gratitude

09/03/2012

Here it is: Labor Day. It tries to be a nice holiday offering up a day off. But I'm hip to its tricks. It tries to be friendly, but let's face it, it's the demise of summer. Oh sure, we've got a bit to go as far as the calendar is concerned, but staying up way past bedtime, eschewing responsibilities, leaving on a whim for a new adventure... Done. Ah, but it was a good summer, a beautiful summer, one of the sunniest I remember.

We hit the Freedom Trail in Boston,

Chatted with the hurdy gurdy man outside the Old State House,

And answered "yes" to some basic questions!

David stood in opposition.

Nora uncomfortably stood in the site of the Boston Massacre.

We all stood in awe of the USS Constitution/ Old Ironsides.

Nora had her own question.

Unsurprisingly, my family found time to nap... like a sailor.

Nora learned about maritime history.

She also learned the joys of the "penny squasher" and came home with many copper souvenirs.

Waiting in line for the Swan Boats, Nora danced a bit of Swan Lake. Then, we cruised around The Public Garden.

It was Lula who found the Make Way for Ducklings statues and was first to do the traditional sit.

Nora found all of the other statues and imitated each one!

She was also quick to find the carousel.

We saw the "old school" T-Rex outside of the Science Museum and David joined in for a pose!

The "new school" dino was too scary to imitate.

Less appealing was the prehistoric poo!

Lula came along to the New England Aquarium. I'm so glad that my little one is not too big for dolls!

Unfortunatly, Lula did not get a chance to touch a starfish. Nora did and also touched a stingray which darted toward her, allowing itself to be touched, then swam away splashing Nora! Truly awesome.

Nora most enjoyed making the penguins dance as she moved a fish-shaped beam of light. This is not a tease to the penguins, we were assured, but rather good exercise.

We were all very tired after packing so much into our trip to Boston. Careful planning and good walking shoes were key to a pleasant trip. The bosnus was traveling with a child who is interested in everything!

I highly recommend a Boston CityPass. Not only did it save us money, but we were able to skip to the front of the line of big attractions like the aquarium: That line is looooong! We were also very pleased with Megabus which got us there inexpensively and right on time (actually slightly early!)

Back home, there were chess lessons.

Marshmallows were roasted to celebrate my birthday!

We clebrated a Muppet Treasure Island party for my nephew's birthday. Nora helped with some of the preparations when she stayed with my brother and sister-in-law once a week. They had other adventures as well as Jodi has been posting (so much better than I have!) on her blog: Making Moments Count.

It wouldn't be summer without a trip to the Shelburne Museum

with one last carousel ride.

And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We're captive on the carousel of time
We can't return we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game

07/08/2012

Today, we (and by “we” I mean David) cooked at our 15th annual Green Mountain Bonsai’s Members’ Show at Mill Brook Bonsai. The weather, as always, was lovely. It’s been a treat to see the changing displays of these little trees over the years. Eleanor was sincerely a big help setting up, buttering corn, and cleaning up. She earned her tips!

The apron she wore was a Christmas gift that I made out of a vintage bed sheet. The pattern that I used was Simplicity 7856. I used store-bought bias tape and I think the whole thing came together in about an hour. I wished that I had taken my camera out a little more, but my hands were mostly covered in olive oil or busily helping Eleanor.

David’s mother, who initially asked him to cook at this event years ago, stepped down from her position on the bonsai society's board this year. She received a nice recognition from the founder, Sandy Anderson. She was given a lifetime membership as well as tickets to the theater. It was clear that her dedication to the group was truly appreciated by all who were there.

06/15/2012

What an absolute thrill and honor to be named Early Childhood Professional of the Year by Building Bright Futures of Chittenden County. My center's director gave an eloquent speech about my work. She has been right along with me as I have gone from wide-eyed inexperienced infant teacher, preschool teacher, early essential education individual assistant, and to my current role as, apparently, "toddler whisperer!" It's hard to put into words my gratitude for this recognition. In a field that is all too frequently put in terms of "milk and cookies" using the word "Professional" means so much. Yes, I change diapers, but there is so much more to the work that I, and my outstanding coworkers, do every day.

I've had a long, meandering journey becoming a professional in this field. When I was one, my mother started caring for children in our home. So, I can honestly say I grew up in childcare. My mother was my first mentor. She is currently a center-based preschool teacher and continues to be a great resource for teaching along with parenting. It was her inspiration that as a kindergatener I decided that "when I grow up, I want to be a teacher."

I took "The Babysitting Course" as a preteen which made me already feel like a professional. I was a fan of The Babysitter's Club books and collected every single one. Yes, including the Super Specials! With my "Kid Kit" in hand (other BSC fans, you know what I'm talking about) I started earning money. Playing with children was pretty sweet from the start.

In my college years when I double-majored in elementary education and theater with a minor in medieval studies, I would have declared that I would never work with young children. I did however, do a work-study at the campus early learning center where my older sister worked. Of course, there was yet more inspiration. It was with some of those children that I did Piagetian tasks which started an interest in early brain development. I should have known that this would be my field! It is that rapid development that occurs early years that is a constant fascination to me. Being able to observe the different approaches to learning, personal accomplishments, and the fascination of the world around us from a child's point of view is a daily joy.

Beside being full of wonder and accomplishment, toddlers, if you don't already know, are also hilarious. Singing "Someone's in the Kitchen with Diamond" with a pull-up on her head, declaring "my yogurt is organic!", spinning round and round and challenging himself to walk across the room saying, "it's funny" or explaining "my curly hair makes my brain comfortable" are a few of the moments that keep my sense of humor what it is.

There are also the sweet moments that I am so glad I get to witness. Children raise and clink their glasses with thier friends saying, "cheers!" Three friends hold hands in a circle and work together to climb up the four large steps to get to the top of our classroom's play structure. A crying baby is given a toy placed in her hand and a few minutes of attention by a two year-old. When I leave for the day, I hear, "I'm going to miss you!" Sure, there is a good amount of problem solving with the children, but knowing that work leads to these genuine moments makes it quite worth the effort.

I am ever so grateful for the staff with whom I work: quiet and loud, silly and serious, organized and carefree. While we don't always agree, there is always something to learn from the debate. It is a joy to come into work with like-minded professionals who can certainly agree that the well-being and education of the children in our care are of the utmost importance. I've learned the value of collaboration and enjoy looking at thier different perspectives, sharing accomplishments, and all of that laughter.We have some pretty great families at our center. I enjoy sharing those funny stories and sweet moments, and I like problem solving with them, too. Becoming a parent myself has given me a different perspective about those "after hours" issues. I am able to share my own struggles and triumphs with bedtime rituals, tooth brushing, tantrums, and toileting. I like to think that I am part of the families' close community. Even though I know five years from now, the toddler that is currently my shadow, will not recognize me, it makes me truly satisfied to hear about their successes as I know that I was part in laying down a strong foundation for their future.

To all of those who were part of nominating me for this award, I am truly thankful. While my director read some of your quotes, I have yet to see your letters. It's probably a good thing as there has already been enough grateful, happy tears to last for awhile. It has been and will continue to be a great honor to work with you and with your children.

05/30/2012

Eleanor's birthday was Thursday, and it has really felt like birthweek. The first sailing race of the year was also on Thursday, and to avoid losing daddy to the bay, we tagged along with him. After an evening of sitting on cleats, rope burn, and white knuckles, I've decided I'm going to stick to pleasure cruises. Eleanor, however, was hip to every tack and jibe. She scrambled to the high side like a pro. After the race, she got to steer and hang out on the foredeck with dad.

There was no cake. Heck, dinner was Pringles. But by the silly grin on her face, I don't think she noticed.

We had a family celebration on Monday for the first BBQ of the year and birthday cake. I forgot the sailboat toy so I made an impromptu decoration for my Mac Geek... who also likes dinosaurs. The rest of the credit, of course, goes to my mother.

Eleanor's first request for a gift has become quite clear lately. Naturally, it would have to be a toy that is no longer available in stores! Through the generosity of a dear coworker, however, Nora's dream came true. "Pinch me!" she kept saying. I wonder where she gets her sense of drama?! More about Felicity in a later post. There's surprisingly much to say!

Right before we left grandma and grandpa's house, as if it knew it were her celebration, a rabbit came out of the woods. Apparently, it will sit watching while my father mows the lawn, but we're letting Nora feel like she is the rabbit-whisperer. After all, birthdays are full of wonder.

05/23/2012

I want a garden. Not just that, I want to be a gardener. I want to step barefoot into the backyard to harvest a salad. I want to heal using herbs that wind into the depths of our property. I want to fill dye-pots with hues plucked from a medieval-style plot. I want to send Eleanor out to pick favorite blooms to decorate our dinner table. I want a wide brimmed hat and dirt under my fingernails. Then, I remember that this is a rented home and close the door.

This has been a sabotaging obstacle for me: this pesky renting, this tiny apartment. I keep myself from doing projects because I'm waiting for a bigger bedroom, an attic sewing room, a pantry, and that garden I truly can call my own. For years, I've been shying away from tending a garden because of the ever-present hope that we might move.

A little while ago I went to a garage sale with my sister-in-law in a very poor rural area. The house wasn't much to look at, but the garden was sensational. It was brilliantly covered with beautiful flowers and herbs. She had small gardens with decorations and vignettes scattered throughout. She spoke with great fondness about her plants. It was clear that she was devoted to them and in turn, they gave her great joy. My sister said, "she's really bloomed where she's planted." I agreed but was internally thinking it a bit of a cliche- one of those phrases you see on stepping stones or fence plaques. But after we got into the car, I though more about it. She really did bloom, very literally, where she was. She created an oasis of beauty spread out before her double-wide. Maybe I could, too.

Indeed, it's expensive and a lot of work to start a proper garden when we might just leave it. But little things have been creeping into the yard- the determined mint, the strawberries that might actually produce if the woodchucks don't get to them first, and a scattering of cheery violets and other little flowers and greenery fill the gaps between the blades of grass. If these plants aren't speaking to me, my seven year-old certainly is! I need to succumb to the fact that I surely have years -plural!- to continue living here and make it bloom.

It might be nice for the next tenants to have a little beauty left behind.

This gardening idea, along with our farm fantasy, is not new. Nora and I have been dreaming about our future garden filled with lilacs, apple trees, daffodils, herbs, and favorite veggies. We already have strawberries as berries of all kinds are high on the list. Lately, she's been sure to comment on the bleeding hearts that we see as we walk through the neighborhood. Knowing the generosity of our neighbors, I sent a plea to our neighborhood forum and asked if anyone had this particular plant to share. I got many responses and immediately pounced! We loaded up the wagon and a shovel and made our way to a hidden garden down the street. We dug up the plant and replanted it under the dappled light of our (neighbor's) tree. Its close to Sweet Pea's grave where, indeed, Eleanor keeps a piece of her heart. The delight I have gotten in its presence makes me think that I might just be getting my hands dirty more often... right here where I'm planted.

05/07/2012

At the beginning of this school year, when asked about what she was most looking forward to, her answer was receiving communion. So excited, in fact, that I agreed to teach the second grade religious education class at our church. So excited that even though she is being taught the same material at her school, she came to class with me every Sunday so that she could make her First Communion in the same parish that I made mine. She was glowing with that excitement on Sunday... and maybe just a little nervous.

She had the honor of reading the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

We are all so grateful that our large family and many friends were able to celebrate this day with us including grandparents, Godparents and even Monsignor who gave her the blessed sacrament.

The cousin away at college even remembered to call.

Grandma, of course, made a lovely cake topped with one of the two cake toppers that was on my sisters' cake. Being twins, however, no one was quite sure which twin it belonged to! I was pretty sure I had one of these toppers as well.

It gives me such joy that Eleanor truly understands what it is to receive the Holy Eucharist. She radiated the light of that special moment throughout the entire day.

03/26/2012

My once tiny baby will be making her First Communion this May. For years, I thought that I would sew the dress for her special day. Alas, I should have spent those years sewing! Now, I have a deadline. I don't like deadlines. I don't do well with deadlines. I get panicky, and as I'm told, hard to live with when I have a deadline. I wanted to sew something lovely, with the finest fabric. Something like this:

Wonderful mother, Jennie Chancey, made this dress for her daughter, Olivia. That's Olivia above. It was made using Sense and Sensibility's 1780's Portrait Dress. Oh, the dresses on that site are dreamy! And, yes, there are patterns for adults as well. I have a weakness for anything historical, and this is Nora's favorite period. It would have been perfect... This site is well placed in my bookmarks to be visited when I'm free of deadlines.

When I realized it might not be a good plan to sew this special dress, I looked at many dresses on-line. Most were too expensive or more likely too "princess-y" with their puffy skirts, frills, beading, and even a train! Some of them aren't even modest. I'm not sure if people understand this event. I mean, really!

I was getting nowhere, and I needed a source of beautiful, affordable, timeless dresses for children. Happily, it occurred to me that right in my own city is the exceptional designer, April Cornell. I've been wearing her dresses since college. I've worn them to weddings, garden parties (with matching hat, of course), choir concerts, holidays, and a swanky cocktail party. I tend to associate important events with the corresponding April Cornell dress. My selections have included the classic floral dress perfect for Spring events to a Boardwalk Empire worthy beaded gown. I felt so beautiful in that dress. It wasn't just the cocktails.

So, off we went, mother and daughter, to April Cornell. We had a lovely experience of trying on dresses. Well, she did - though, I was tempted! It felt as if they were expecting her. The saleswoman that we first encountered said she was Jewish and therefore wasn't quite sure what was appropriate for this event. Once I filled her in, she was abundantly helpful. In fact, a few others joined in helping us choose - along with much "Oooing and Ahhing." One even put sweet-smelling lotion on Nora as well as a little glitter so that she would feel all the more special.

After trying on a few dresses: one was deemed too simple, the other too scratchy, (she'll never wear a slip!) Nora found the very perfect dress.

The embroidered tulle overlay is absolutely precious and the neckline provides the perfect space for a special necklace. I never would have thought that we would have chosen a blue dress, but truly, it is perfect. As blue is a special color for Mary, and May is her month, I thought it was just the right choice.

This beautiful young lady is of course a model. I will wait until May to post photos of Nora in this dress. At that time, I would like to focus on the special sacrament and not her attire. As Nora said in the dressing room as I was fussing perhaps too much with a dress, "Mommy, it's not about the dress. It's about receiving the body and blood of Jesus." Well stated, my dear. You are certainly ready.

02/27/2012

Rachel Bissex had been a staple of the Burlington folk scene since before I was aware there was a Burlington folk scene. My big sister used to take me to Rachel's shows at Trinity College where she was booking gigs for her dorm. Knowing with certainty that anything she liked was sure to be cool, I became a fan. My love for folk music was born which was a good thing because my friends were listening to a lot of New Kids on the Block and Tiffany at the time. I discovered how much I love live music, and folk music was really accessible, and Rachel’s was the best. Rachel had an active philosophy of being completely attentive to the person she was with. She took time to talk after her shows, and I grew to love her personality as much as her music. I became babysitter to her daughter, Emma, often when Rachel was touring. Emma tirelessly listened to the Aladdin soundtrack and eventually brought home a violin and would play Hot Cross Buns which I politely listened to...over and over and over. I remember Rachel's joy that her daughter was developing her own passion for music. Eventually, Rachel took to driving me along to some of her instate gigs. I’d play the chicken-shake and sing along to her songs while she warmed up on the way there, and she’d ask me about her stage presence on the way back. What the heck did I know about stage presence?! But she was attentive; treating me as an equal at a time when I was to so many others “just a kid”. This attitude led me to believe that I could have an opinion not just on folk music, but so much more. I became empowered in her passenger seat. It was in that seat that she told me about an exciting camp that had just started for families called Camp Common Ground. She suggested that I might be a good fit for the children’s morning program. She sold the idea by dreamily describing late-night campfire singalongs along with details about the camp’s workshops from sailing, to singing, to massage. I worked at that camp for a few summers during a time when I needed to explore a different world. It was a great opportunity to try out pottery, sunrise yoga, reiki, pastel drawing at night, and kayaking. She was right, though. Singing along at the late-night campfires was my favorite part. David and I often went to Rachel’s shows at local coffee shops or in the park. After the CD release concert of Don’t Look Down, we went to David’s apartment where he proposed. I don’t know what the date was. I only remember it from this event. Was it really 1995? I guess we were engaged for a long time! I was pregnant with Nora when I found out that Rachel had breast cancer. Wrapped up in new-motherhood, I didn’t get much of a chance to see her. The last time I did was at the Champlain Valley Folk Festival where she passionatly sang new songs from her latest album In White Light. She sang that album's title song; one for her son who she knew she may soon leave and her signature song, Dancing With My Mother, which tells of the generational love that mother's have for their daughters. Each song, new and old, continued to convey the love that Rachel showed for family, friends, and music.

Seven years have passed since we lost Rachel. Her daughter, Emma, is now a beautiful woman teaching violin in Brooklyn (I can only hope it’s Hot Cross Buns). Knowing the struggles and joys of the life of an artist, she continues to radiate Rachel’s light in her passion and adventure with her own musical projects. Gathering those artists touched by Rachel, Emma organized a tribute concert to benefit cancer victims called Dancing with Rachel Saturday night. Some of the artists, including the 2011 recipient of the White Light Fund scholarship, Giovanina Bucci, never met Rachel. However, listening to her sing one of Rachel’s songs made it clear that her music lives on.

Carol Abair

The most emotional performance for me was Carol Abair’s Whistle Me Dixie. This song, poplularized by Rachel's recording, was written by the imensely talented Abair. The beauty with which she sang it brought forth the love that Carol has for Rachel. Sitting next to my sweet daughter, who I used to rock to sleep singing that song, made clear the strength that music has in connecting those touched by it.

Linda Bassick and Emma Sky

Linda Bassick showed the passion that Rachel had for music by singing Rachel's Passion. That's Linda, on guitar, who I met as a collegue and was Nora's Infant teacher. She is passionate about everything from quality early education to music. She showed her range by skipping the children's music to sing Passion. The f-bomb is tossed in there, and I remember one of those drives with Rachel when she was wondering what to call the un-named album that included this track. She was talking about how her older stuff was so sweet, and that "she used to be nice." I stopped her and said that thatwould be a great title for her CD.

Mitch Barron, Rik Palieri, Rebecca Padula, and Emma Sky

I was thrilled to hear my friend, Rebecca Padula, sing one of my favorite Bissex tunes, Eve of Construction, a witty song about spring driving in Vermont. It reminded me of all the miles I traveled with Rachel. Rebecca’s own Campfire Light with Rik Palieri’s banjo, Mitch Barron’s bass, and of course, Emma Sky’s violin was exactly the kind of moment that would have had Rachel harmonizing along.

01/14/2012

Once again, I never typed a word here in December. Oh, I've composed posts in my mind, but until Typepad can upload that, you'll have to settle for a little rewind! The whole holiday season (yes, Thanksgiving through New Year) felt a bit ...strange. Vermont conjures up images of skiing, Snowflake Bentley, and the white-capped roofs of postcard towns. But we've had snowier Easters than this winter. Last night, we actually got some accumulation, and it is still here! Nora and David are out sledding right now. The computer is free so I thought I would start with a little rewind.

We had Thanksgiving at David's mother's house. David's sister brought one of her turkeys. Last year the turkey was 38 lbs. This year: 41 lbs.! It didn't have a chance of fitting into a roasting pan so an aluminum foil juice-funneling system was developed. It took three people to do this, but there was a lot of hard cider involved.

I made a scrumdiddlyuptious almond torte which was devoured long before dinner. Note for next year: Thanksgiving day requires lunch. There was no way that bird was going to be done by 2:00 which is, for some reason, the official time of Thanksgiving dinner.

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We got our Christmas tree from a fundraiser at Nora's school. David schlepped it home over his shoulder. The neighborhood children thought it was quite entertaining. I think this photo is quite entertaining:

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Somehow, our whole family was in the Nativity play at Nora's school this year. For the theater major and dramatic child, this is no surprise. However, this was a step waaaay out of David's comfort zone. So, what was his role? Why, Joseph, of course! As we say, "If you're gonna do it, do it to it!" He did it and was great. Mary helped him remember to face the audience, and he remembered all of his lines which was perfection for this performance which included a host of giggling angels and concluded with baby Jesus wailing during the last 15 minutes of the show. I wish there were more photos, but being on stage as the innkeeper's wife, I was unable to snap any. These were taken by Jon Hughes.

David as Joseph sleeping. He's been in training for this scene for years!

Nora as a shepherd (perfect!) She also did great with her lines.

I made these costumes.

I also made the sheep costumes. I think they're sleeping in this scene.

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Our church's Nativity event continued this year. We showed our family's nativities: Playmobile, our slowly-growing Ostheimer (Mary was added on Christmas), and the one that Nora made when she was in Kindergarten.

My mother has many Nativities and depictions of the Holy Family. I think the official baby Jesus count on Christmas day at Grandma's house was 42! Here she is at one table filled only with her Nativities:

My favorite, though, is the nativity that we had when I was a child. The original figures are long gone/ broken. Mom wistfully wishes she could have the same style again. I've been searching ebay. But the stable is the most nostalgic piece for us. During some lean times with three children and one (me) on the way, my father took at 2x4 and split it into thin slats to make the rustic outside. The base is a Tide box! For years, you could see the bright orange logo on the back, but feeling embarrassed about it, my mother since covered it with the sturdy paper of a grocery bag... I think I'm getting a sense of where my frugality came from!

The Nativities were blessed by our Monsignor. If you're Catholic, you'll recognize that this was Gaudete Sunday as he is wearing his rose-colored Chasuble.

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On an entirely different note, we say this display on the way to Nora's Christmas concert.

This is an SD Ireland tradition. They also entertain us with pink concrete mixers and a parade of their fleet on March 17... I wonder why?

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We had a fun time at my sister's house playing games (Awkward Famly Photos, Scategories, and Apples to Apples) on New Year's Eve. Some of us didn't make it for ringing in the New Year, but I'm glad you made it to the end of this post!

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I'm not quite done rewinding. I'll fill you in on why this child is running next time!